"Having sex regularly can do more than make you feel closer to your partner—it can actually make you physically healthier," says Hilda Hutcherson, M.D., a clinical professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Columbia University and author of Pleasure: A Woman's Guide to Getting the Sex You Want, Need, and Deserve. Check out a few of the surprising perks you can reap from great sex.
Less Stress
If you're freaking out about tomorrow's job interview, slip
between the sheets. Research from the University of the West of Scotland reveals
that people who had intercourse at least once over two weeks were better able to
manage stressful situations such as public speaking, says study author and
psychology professor Stuart Brody, Ph.D. That's because endorphins and oxytocin
are released during sex, and these feel-good hormones activate pleasure centers
in the brain that create feelings of intimacy and relaxation and help stave off
anxiety and depression, says WH advisor Laura Berman, Ph.D., an assistant
clinical professor of ob-gyn and psychiatry at the Feinberg School of Medicine
at Northwestern University and author of It's Not Him, It's You! You don't have
to climax to net the effects, but you'll get the biggest surge of soothing
hormones if you have an orgasm. Just one more reason to shoot for a stellar
finish!
Sounder Sleep
It's downright dreamy how an Orgasm can lull
you to sleep. That's because the same endorphins that help you de-stress can
also relax your mind and body, priming you for slumber, says Cindy M. Meston,
Ph.D., director of the Sexual Psychophysiology Laboratory at the University of
Texas at Austin and coauthor of Why Women Have Sex. Plus, during orgasm, the
hormone prolactin is released. "Prolactin levels are naturally higher when we
sleep, which suggests a strong relationship between the two," she says. But if
you're wild in the sack, take note: Highly active sex can make you feel more
energized than sleepy. Sex should never be a snooze, but if you want to use
knocking boots as a sleep aid, skip the acrobatics and opt for a subdued
session.
Minimized Pain
Talk about flipping the script: "Yes,
tonight, honey—I have a headache." The surge of hormones released after an
orgasm can help ease any annoying ache, whether it's a strained back or a head
pounder, says Meston. A study conducted at the Headache Clinic at Southern
Illinois University found that half of female migraine sufferers reported relief
after climaxing. "The endorphins that are released during an orgasm closely
resemble morphine, and they effectively relieve pain," says Meston. Have a
migraine but your man isn't around? Self-medicate by treating yourself with some
solo sex. As long as you hit your peak, masturbating will have the same soothing
effect.
Fewer Colds
There's nothing sexy about sneezing,
wheezing, or that runny-nose look. But getting hot and bothered can help you
avoid coming down with the sniffles: People who have sex were found to have
higher levels of an antibody called immunoglobulin A (IgA), according to
researchers at Wilkes University in Pennsylvania. These antibodies help combat
diseases and keep the body safe from colds and flu. Save up your sick days and
use them as sex days!
A Youthful Glow
Get busy to get gorgeous: In a study conducted at the Royal Edinburgh Hospital
in Scotland, a panel of judges viewed participants through a one-way mirror and
guessed their ages. Those who were enjoying lots of nooky with a steady
partner—four times a week, on average—were perceived to be seven to 12 years
younger than their actual age. Regular sex promotes the release of hormones,
including testosterone and estrogen, which can keep the body looking young and
vital; estrogen has also been shown to promote soft skin and shiny hair, says
Meston. Move over, moisturizer—time to turn back the clock with some shagging.
A More Toned Bod
Sex counts as cardio! A romp can burn
anywhere from 85 to 250 calories, depending on the length of the session
(obviously a quickie will be less strenuous than an all-night pleasurefest),
says Meston. In fact, cardiologists consider sexual activity comparable to a
modest workout on a treadmill, according to a study published in The American
Journal of Cardiology.
Not only will your ticker get a workout, but you'll also squeeze in some sculpting: "Your abs and the muscles in your back, butt, and thighs get a good workout as you thrust during sex," says Hutcherson. Looks like you have a pretty good reason to skip spin class on Sunday morning and work up a sweat in bed.
-MSN health
Not only will your ticker get a workout, but you'll also squeeze in some sculpting: "Your abs and the muscles in your back, butt, and thighs get a good workout as you thrust during sex," says Hutcherson. Looks like you have a pretty good reason to skip spin class on Sunday morning and work up a sweat in bed.
-MSN health